Hey everyone! I thought it would be cool to include a list of some "tricks of the trade" in showing horses! I know everyone has that one special product that they love on show days or that one quick fix that's a life saver. Well most of us don't show against each other, so there's no competition, soooo SPILL YOUR SECRETS! Whether it's what you use to make your horse shine, how you braid your horses mane, or maybe even how you impress the judge ANYTHING'S GAME! I could even include a running list on my post. Well, post away!

*How can I make this thread "Sticky"?

One thing I've learned working with horses:You can FORCE a horse to do something on a tight rein and he might do what you ask or you can TEACH a horse to do something on a loose rein and he will do it willingly with his heart.

One thing I've learned working with horses:You can FORCE a horse to do something on a tight rein and he might do what you ask or you can TEACH a horse to do something on a loose rein and he will do it willingly with his heart.

My best tip is to make sure you and your horse are prepared. Not just grooming wise, but performance wise. Know what the judges are looking for. Know the rule book. Know if you & your horse can perform up to those standards. If not, then get some help.

As far as turnout suggestions, I use cornstarch to clean white legs. I just add water until I make a paste (really weird stuff, fun to play in ), and glob that onto the leg, and let it basically dry, and then brush it away. Legs come out nice and white. I'll usually do that the day before, and put stable wraps on overnight to help keep things clean, and touch up with Cowboy Magic's Green Spot Remover if I need to.

A little baby oil around the eyes (careful in the application, here) and muzzle can look nice on some horses, especially bays and blacks with a lot of contrast from skin to hair. My chestnut guy... well, he only looked sticky with it, so I started leaving it off unless we were at a bigger(-by my area's standards... still pretty puny ) show. If it's really dusty, the oil can attract that, so use some discretion according to the day's conditions.

I like to us a dab of (human) hair gel when I braid or band. Basically enough to make my hands tacky and hold the braid sections together a bit. A spritz of hairspray when the job is done can help, too.

If you have the facilities for it, bathe the horse a day or two in advance and blanket/stable until the show. Cuts down on work show morning (unless you add in time to work excess energy off, depending on the horse), and lets the oils of the coat build back up some for a more natural shine.

A stubborn horse walks behind you, an impatient one in front of you, but a noble companion walks beside you ~ Unknown

I ride mostly in pleasure and hunter classes and the thing I notice a lot of people lack is a smile. Riding and showing is supposed to be fun and the judges notice when you have a frown and don't look happy. It is a detail that you shouldn't show without. I mean, you wouldn't go to a show without brushing your horse, would you? :) Smile :) and good luck for the 2010 show season!

"Don't turn you disabilities into a crutch, turn them into legs and run with them"

1. put in m-t-g once a week
2. i use show sheen in there hair and when i braid
3.i wash their hair the day before the show then braid their tail
4.brush their manes throughly and never let them tangle

and i like to have white socks so i use green out i think its called. i just spray it on the white legs and rub in vigorously. wipe off excess with towel then wrap with vetwrap.the next day its really white.ive also heard of using whitening tooth paste on the legs.

its horse show time in tennessee!!!!!!!
what im not paranoid!!! ....whos asking???
proud to be a southerner!!!

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